School factors that contribute to the underachievement of students of color and what culturally competent school leaders can do

Abstract: Both socioeconomic and school factors contribute to the underachievement of poor children and children of color. This article explores factors that contribute to the underachievement of students of color and offers practices that culturally proficient school leaders can use to build a school culture that may positively impact the academic achievement of students of color. One of the most urgent issues that the educational community is facing is how to meet the academic needs of a culturally and linguistically diverse student population. Currently, there are many students, prima-rily African American, Hispanic and economically disadvantaged stu-dents, who are not being well educated in this country. The inequities that prevent the educational achievement of these children may very well affect the social stability of the United States (Bowman, 1994, p. 1). This School Factors That Contribute 22 Educational Leadership and Administratio